Although exposing children to hazardous work and long work hours is unquestionably deplorable, which of the following, if true, leads to a moral dilemma?

Question

A) Children are not as efficient as adults in doing physically demanding work.
B) Many child laborers come from poverty-stricken families.
C) Banning child labor increases school attendance.
D) Working children learn independence.
E) Use of adults leads to higher labor costs.

Answer 1

B) Many child laborers come from poverty-stricken families.
Although exposing children to hazardous work and long work hours is unquestionably deplorable, the fact remains that poverty-stricken families in many poor countries cannot subsist without the work efforts of young family members; sending their children to school instead of having them work is not a realistic option. If such children are not permitted to work (especially those in the 12-to-17 age group)—due to pressures imposed by activist groups in industrialized nations—they may be forced to go out on the streets begging or to seek work in parts of the "underground" economy such as drug trafficking and prostitution.